Ask A Headhunter!

[wahkao3]

Hi Headhunter,

I am sim uol accounting and finance year 2 student graduating next year and thinking of whether to take up a CPA or CFA programmes. From my own research that I have did, CFA seem to lean closer to finance side such as investment, stocks security and stock analyst side while CPA seem to focus more on the accounting side such as auditing and financial reporting.

After my 2 years of studies, i realised that accounting is too mundane for me and it seem that finance side such as hedging risks, investing stocks,security stock analyst seem to be more interesting.

Question: Am I on the correct path if I were to choose CFA over CPA if I were to go to finance sector such as investment in stocks and shares in the future?

I am still puzzled over the opportunities that CPA and CFA would bring me. I would be more than glad if you can enlighten me. Sorry for the newbie questions i posted.

only the ivy leagues get to be stock analysts. So if you are not ivy league, dont bother.

my fren got 1st class honors in Engineering, topped his master in finance class with scholarship, still cannot get this position. u think leh?

 

[NeverTooLate]

Hi,

I am currently year 2, going year 3 in my in Degree studies (A&F from SIM-UOL) and should be graduating in next Aug/Sep.

I have been doing my own business since 2014 throughout my course of study. A General Insurance brokering company & a digital marketing leads generation company. Both my companies have an average of S$60k revenue per year. I co-founded these 2 companies and done almost everything from scratch (developing businesses, liasing with partners/distribution channels, managing/developing operations) since the start of the companies.

But I'm intending to valuate and sell off both of my companies when I graduate. Just curious to know, with my past 3 years of experiences in B2B business development & operations along with my Degree, will I be able to secure any job as Business Development Manager/Key Account Manager with the regional MNCs? I am very comfortable doing sales presentations & do not mind traveling. Can I also know what should be the salary range I should be expecting?

Thanks all for the valuable inputs!

To AAH and all the bros/sisters here,

Any inputs for my current situation?

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[ilovemaggiemee]

Hi headhunter.
if i only worked in a company for 3 months and the job is contract role. Do i include in my resume? as its generic work and not relevant and does not value add to my resume and may make me seem like job hopper?
is there any way for my potential customers to find out? i got this job through agency.
thanks !!!

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

dear all, as I am in the process of starting a new job in a new company, my responses will be slower than usual due to the increased workload.

I will try my best to respond to queries but do expect delays

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi headhunter.
if i only worked in a company for 3 months and the job is contract role. Do i include in my resume? as its generic work and not relevant and does not value add to my resume and may make me seem like job hopper?
is there any way for my potential customers to find out? i got this job through agency.
thanks !!!

yes you need to include it. and yes they can find out thru a credit check if they require one

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi Headhunter,

I am sim uol accounting and finance year 2 student graduating next year and thinking of whether to take up a CPA or CFA programmes. From my own research that I have did, CFA seem to lean closer to finance side such as investment, stocks security and stock analyst side while CPA seem to focus more on the accounting side such as auditing and financial reporting.

After my 2 years of studies, i realised that accounting is too mundane for me and it seem that finance side such as hedging risks, investing stocks,security stock analyst seem to be more interesting.

Question: Am I on the correct path if I were to choose CFA over CPA if I were to go to finance sector such as investment in stocks and shares in the future?

I am still puzzled over the opportunities that CPA and CFA would bring me. I would be more than glad if you can enlighten me. Sorry for the newbie questions i posted.

cpa = accountancy path

cfa = investments and research path

do note that just because you have cfa does not mean you will get into investment and research. it is more for people who already have the relevant experience and qualifications from a top tier institution

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

What is a talent pitch? Anything that you need to be aware of?

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talent pitch means anything that will get the potential employer to give you a formal interview

usually it is what is known as an elevator pitch (where you have 30 seconds to impress someone who have never met you before)

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[Ask A Headhunter]

How come nowadays so few headhunter calling me as compare to last year same time ????

cos our most active period is in between jan to july and not july to dec

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi,

I am currently year 2, going year 3 in my in Degree studies (A&F from SIM-UOL) and should be graduating in next Aug/Sep.

I have been doing my own business since 2014 throughout my course of study. A General Insurance brokering company & a digital marketing leads generation company. Both my companies have an average of S$60k revenue per year. I co-founded these 2 companies and done almost everything from scratch (developing businesses, liasing with partners/distribution channels, managing/developing operations) since the start of the companies.

But I'm intending to valuate and sell off both of my companies when I graduate. Just curious to know, with my past 3 years of experiences in B2B business development & operations along with my Degree, will I be able to secure any job as Business Development Manager/Key Account Manager with the regional MNCs? I am very comfortable doing sales presentations & do not mind traveling. Can I also know what should be the salary range I should be expecting?

Thanks all for the valuable inputs!

yes. but I do not comment on salaries. but most likely it will involve good bonuses assuming you hit certain key kpi

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[ruixiang92]

yes. but I do not comment on salaries. but most likely it will involve good bonuses assuming you hit certain key kpi

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Hi HH,

Would to enquire on infrastructure and project finance roles.

How's the prospect like? How's the job market like? Career progression? Exit ops? Project finance vs ib infrastructure coverage - any similarities?

 

[honeyNsugar]

hi headhunter ? what do think Abt career as recruitment consultant ? how is working life there ? I understand headhunter works differently though

boing boing boing HardwareZone Forums app

 

[TUV2008]

Hi HH,

I went for an interview wih a HH middle last week.

During the process the two HH asked me to describe from day 1 of my career in details until today. Between both of them they probably wrote 7-8 pages of A4 paper. After 1.5 hour of non stop talking , they still feel not enough.

They then asked me go back and read the client web site to send them a mail how I feel their product vs my experience . After I sent them , one day later she called and asked me to write few more paragraph to described on a specific experience.

I am really sick with all the HH, they are not the one eventually hiring me, why not ask me to go and see their client directly instead of writing all the essay ????

 

[rainysummer]

dear HH

as a soon to grad student. is there any certs worth having. saw the above posts about cfa. i had a chance to talk to staff at a ib and they said it doesnt help applicants much, cos if the job requires those cfa certs you will be sent on course. he advised to focus on outside school stuff to make my resume well rounded. is that true ? and are there any certs like caia or frm that i could take to get my self into banking industry. preferably front office.


also what recruiting firms in SG recruit for entry level positions in banks? most of the firm i found recruit at mid level hires onwards. but the person from ib i talked to got a entry level job. asked him which firm he used but he wanted me to search myself.

thank you.

 

[gawdzilla]

Guess most headhunter are like this.

A headhunter divulged my application to another coy, one that I am not interested in. Sugar coat everything and tried to make me sign up..no doubt the remuneration is superb but not what I am looking for. When I refused, the guy actually visited my office and make known that I am looking for another job..it is a foreign recuiter.

B headhunter is nice..advised me that my asking is too low. I can get 40% more. Tailored interviews with coy I like and advise career progression...

Guess got different grade huan.

Can ask which coy B is from? TQ.

 

[skipity2]

Hi TS

What are the regulatory requirements to set up a headhunting firm? I think there is a requirement for security deposit right?

For a new headhunting start up, what's the quickest way to get its first business. Assuming no existing client based to tap on. I presume hiring existing headhunters who have their network will help?

How long does it take to close a deal? That means from client brief to sourcing suitable candidates, to client confirmation of candidate.

What's the agency cut these days? I had hired headhunters myself before and was paying 18%-22% on candidate annual salary. Is that still true?

Will headhunters work on a 50% Comm (that means no Base salary)? I came across a few agencies that work on that model. They hire headhunters on full comm basis.

What's the most lucrative sectors to target?

Are $4000-8000 salary range jobs easiest and fastest to close deal?

Appreciate if you could help enlighten. Thanks.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

Would to enquire on infrastructure and project finance roles.

How's the prospect like? How's the job market like? Career progression? Exit ops? Project finance vs ib infrastructure coverage - any similarities?

infrastructure and project finance means you are most likely working for an Asian financial institution or even a singaporean one

a lot of potential but can be subject to downturn in economy


definitely more potential in project finance than IB which is currently not doing well and lots of retrenchments

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[Ask A Headhunter]

hi headhunter ? what do think Abt career as recruitment consultant ? how is working life there ? I understand headhunter works differently though

boing boing boing HardwareZone Forums app

already answered but will answer again

very smooth progression, good commissions, and easy promotions if you can hit target often. also can get work life balance

biggest barriers is

1) no clients (which usually applies to agencies which are start ups or not established in certain sectors)

2) got clients and got jobs, but no candidates

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

I went for an interview wih a HH middle last week.

During the process the two HH asked me to describe from day 1 of my career in details until today. Between both of them they probably wrote 7-8 pages of A4 paper. After 1.5 hour of non stop talking , they still feel not enough.

They then asked me go back and read the client web site to send them a mail how I feel their product vs my experience . After I sent them , one day later she called and asked me to write few more paragraph to described on a specific experience.

I am really sick with all the HH, they are not the one eventually hiring me, why not ask me to go and see their client directly instead of writing all the essay ????

do you know who the client is?

personally, I feel that what he did is too over the top, but then again, maybe their client asked them to do it, (which is quite rare unless you apply for a high level position)

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[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

Thanks for your reply. It make my path clearer. I nearly wanted to go for CPA but after doing my research in which i also realised CPA is for accountancy path. Yup, i understand that cfa required a person to be qualified in term of having relevant job prospect such as the person must do investment equity or stock related kind of job. So for starters who havent went through those path before,
What is your suggestions for those like me who want to dabble in stocks investments related kind of job but do not have relevant experience?

Learn by going for seminars for classes and create own portfolio?

target second tier firms or third tier

attend seminars and networking events

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[Ask A Headhunter]

dear HH

as a soon to grad student. is there any certs worth having. saw the above posts about cfa. i had a chance to talk to staff at a ib and they said it doesnt help applicants much, cos if the job requires those cfa certs you will be sent on course. he advised to focus on outside school stuff to make my resume well rounded. is that true ? and are there any certs like caia or frm that i could take to get my self into banking industry. preferably front office.


also what recruiting firms in SG recruit for entry level positions in banks? most of the firm i found recruit at mid level hires onwards. but the person from ib i talked to got a entry level job. asked him which firm he used but he wanted me to search myself.

thank you.

ok here is the hard truth

certs and stuff are helpful yes, but only after you are already in a front office role

usually having a cfa as a fresh grad or as an experienced worker does not really help (unless you graduated from an ivy league school)

alternatively, you can work in a non front office role, then move internally to a front office role if it arises

or you can go for second tier firms (non european and american banks for example) because they are sometimes easier to get in

entry level can try adecco, kelly services, manpower, peoplesearch, to name a few

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